The mold maker agathon from the Ruhr region wants to increase the efficiency of its tool warehouse. Relocating to a new site creates space for a fresh start. SSI Schäfer is supplying several Logimat storage lifts, which agathon will use to optimize and partially automate its order picking process.
Agathon is a leading manufacturer of chocolate molds for large-scale industrial production. This family-owned company develops and manufactures custom chocolate molds that give confectionery products their distinctive designs. From its headquarters in Bottrop, the company has been a systems partner for nearly all major manufacturers and plant engineers in the chocolate, confectionery, and food industries for 75 years.
Groundbreaking ceremony with the mayor in Essen in 2022. Photo: M. Leick
Agathons' tool storage embodies the tangible know-how of its previous development work. The tool molds typically remain the property of the customer companies. They must therefore be stored securely and, when needed, transported to the injection molding machines or the company's own workshop.
Over the years, however, the original site increasingly reached its capacity limits. Since the end of 2022, the company has been relocating to a larger site in neighboring Essen. The building for the new tool warehouse is already complete. In March 2024, SSI Schäfer was awarded the contract for the storage lift solution.
The SSI Logimat vertical lift system and a gantry crane are currently being installed. Storage in the vertical lifts will be managed using SSI's proprietary WAMAS Lift & Store software, which will be integrated with the customer's ERP system. The new solution is scheduled to go live this month.
Design requirements
The vertical design of the Logimat lift allows for maximum utilization of the hall's height. A total of eight of these lifts, each over 9 meters high, are being installed in agathon's tool warehouse. Warehouse staff select the tool mold to be picked. The lift then moves the corresponding tray to the access opening. Thanks to the optional "Logidrive" feature, the tray is fully extended from the lift, where the tool mold can be removed and safely transferred to the crane. To optimize the transfer process, the crane's crossbeams are mounted directly to the uprights of the lifts. In addition to the resulting ergonomic advantages, this also saves further space in the warehouse.
agathon headquarters
Furthermore, the integration concept of the SSI Schäfer solution also supports the enterprise software level. At the heart of the data exchange is the WAMAS Lift & Store control solution, which enables comprehensive article and order management.
To make warehouse data accessible company-wide, WAMAS Lift & Store is connected to the proALPHA ERP system used at agathon. The connection is established via a standard interface supplied by SSI Schäfer. Thanks to the integration of both software solutions, the picking of tool molds is also recorded in the ERP system. Data transfer is fully automated.
Agathon's expectations focus on increased storage density and efficient, semi-automated, and ergonomic order picking using the vertical lifts. An additional, less tangible factor was also important: the high-quality appearance of the systems. The sophisticated design of the vertical lifts and shelving systems is intended to make the new plant a visually appealing location. In addition to employees, customers are also expected to benefit. This is based on the intensive development partnership that the toolmaker maintains with the product designers of the user companies in the confectionery industry. A large part of this development work takes place in the company's own laboratory, the "Chocolate Design Center.".
Agathon's Managing Director Volker Krämer: "The concept of the storage lift solution is convincing in terms of functionality, ergonomics, and design. We are now working together to prepare for commissioning in a few weeks in October."
